Hindu statesman Rajan Zed honored at a New York Sikh temple

Nevada (US), June 13 (ANI): In a remarkable interfaith gesture, esteemed Hindu statesman Rajan Zed was honored with a siropa (robe of honor) on June 12 at Gurdwara Guru Nanak Darbar of Long Island in Hicksville (New York, USA).

Siropa was presented to Zed by Gurdwara leaders Dayal Singh Vohra, Santok Singh Bajaj, Balwant Singh Lungani, and Kulraj Singh Lungani. Speaking on the occasion, Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, stressed that all religions should work together for a just and peaceful world. Dialogue would bring us mutual enrichment, he added.

Rajan Zed was honored by Nevada (USA) Governor sometime back with a certificate for his work in interfaith dialogue, which stated: "For exemplary service in building a dialogue between the various faiths in Nevada and around the world; for building unity and creating awareness about the diversity of our state; and for sharing those messages on behalf of the state around the world". Zed was honored with a siropa on March 19 evening in Amritsar (India) in the Golden Temple complex, which contains the holiest shrine and highest seat of Sikhism.

Rajan Zed has taken up interfaith, religion, Hindu, environment, Roma and other causes all over the world. He is one of the panelists for "On Faith", a prestigious interactive conversation on religion produced by The Washington Post, and has been bestowed with "World Interfaith Leader Award". He is Senior Fellow and Religious Advisor to New York headquartered Foundation for Interreligious Diplomacy, Director of Interfaith Relations of Nevada Clergy Association, Spiritual Advisor to National Association of Interchurch and Interfaith Families, etc.

Gurdwara Guru Nanak Darbar of Long Island celebrated Gurgadi Divas of Guru Hargobind on June 11 and a special kirtan darbar by multi ragi-jathas was held for the first time, who included Surjeet Singh (Long Island), Mukhtar Singh (Jalandhar), Kuldeep Singh (United Kingdom), and Satpal Singh (Fatehgarh Sahib).

Sikhism is fifth largest religion in the world and Sikhs believe in one immortal Being; Ten Gurus, from Guru Nanak to Guru Gobind Singh; the Guru Granth Sahib; the utterances and teachings of the ten Gurus; and baptism bequeathed by the tenth Guru. Personal contact with Sikhs usually impresses the outsider with energetic hospitality. Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents and moksh (liberation) is its ultimate goal. (ANI)